The British fashion world is in mourning following the death of visionary designer Antony Price at the age of 80. The influential creative passed away just weeks after making a celebrated return to the London catwalk for the first time in over three decades.
A Legacy of Glamour and Iconic Collaborations
Antony Price, born in Yorkshire in 1945, was a defining force in fashion, best known for his long-standing work with music legends. He forged a particularly strong creative partnership with pop icons Duran Duran and Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music. His death was announced on Wednesday by Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes in a heartfelt Instagram tribute.
Rhodes described Price as a 'visionary fashion designer, with extraordinary technical skills', stating that 'nobody did glam better than Antony'. He highlighted the designer's pivotal role in creating the band's signature look, most notably conceiving and designing the pastel-coloured silk suits worn in their iconic 'Rio' music video.
The Final Bow and a Storied Career
In a poignant full-circle moment, Price's final public showcase was last month, when he returned to the London fashion scene with a collection in collaboration with atelier 16Arlington. The show featured singer Lily Allen modelling a black velvet dress inspired by the late Diana, Princess of Wales's famous 'revenge dress'. Nick Rhodes noted this swan song was 'as spectacular and relevant as the first one I ever saw'.
Price's career trajectory was stellar from the start. After studying at Bradford Art School and the Royal College of Art, he designed body-hugging trousers for Sir Mick Jagger in 1969. He launched his eponymous label in 1979 and staged his first show in 1980, with opening looks worn by model Jerry Hall, who also chose a Price design for her wedding to Jagger.
An Enduring Influence on Music and Royalty
His reach extended across decades and genres. In 1986, he designed the jacket David Bowie wore in the 'As The World Falls Down' music video. More recently, he became a trusted designer for Queen Camilla, cementing his status as a craftsman of timeless elegance.
Despite what Rhodes referred to as a lack of recognition from fashion media, Price's genius was never in doubt among his elite clientele and peers. Rhodes praised him as a 'loyal, kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend' and a true genius, a cut above the rest. The industry remembers a man who blended old Hollywood glamour with sharp modernity, ensuring anyone in his creations commanded the room.
